Infant support device

Abstract

An infant support device for supporting an infant in a prone position, comprising a base with a front, a back, a top, a bottom and two side members, said base having a support surface extending between the side members on the top of the base; the support surface being defined by two portions: (I) a body support surface disposed proximate the front of the support device and terminating adjacent the front of the device, and (II) a leg support surface extending rearwardly from terminus of the body support surface toward the back of the device; and having a grip for retaining the posterior side of the legs of the infant and extending upwardly from the support surface between the side members; wherein an infant is supported in a prone position on the support surface between the side members, and the legs are supported on the leg support surface and are retained by said grip to minimize infant rollover toward a supine position.

1. A method of developing neck, back, and arm muscles of an infant, the method comprising:
 positioning an infant in an infant support device, comprising a base with a front, a back, a top, a bottom and two side members, said base having a support surface extending between the side members on the top of the base; 
 the support surface being defined by two portions: (I) a body support surface disposed proximate the front of the support device and terminating adjacent the front of the device, and (II) a leg support surface extending rearwardly from terminus of the body support surface toward the back of the device; 
 and having a grip for retaining the posterior side of the legs of the infant and extending upwardly from the support surface between the side members; 
 wherein an infant is supported in a prone position on the support surface between the side members, and the legs are supported on the leg support surface and are retained by said grip to minimize infant rollover toward a supine position. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the body support is inclined from 10 to 30 degrees and the leg support is inclined 0 to 10 degrees. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the support device is made of extruded foam material selected from: polyurethane foams, a low density polyurethane foam, ethyl vinyl acetates, polyolefins, thermoplastic rubbers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, polyvinyl chloride or combinations thereof. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the support device is made of extruded foam material comprising: EVA (ethyl vinyl acetate) and TPO's (polyolefin) with hardness of 10-40 Asker C. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the body support and the side members of the device are contoured to the body of an infant. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  therein the device is one-piece.